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Magpie began working on the book about a year ago following a creative pitch, having previously worked with Royal Mail on other projects including stamp design and creating presentation packs.

Dumbledore stamp from the Magical Realms range, designed by So Design Consultants

Ben Christie, Magpie Studio creative director, says, ‘The challenge is to get something completely different each year and to also appeal to the collectors. There’s such a wide range of subject matters so we wanted an approach that adds interest on every page, not just the same idea throughout.’

Me and My Girl stamp from the Musicals range, designed by Webb & Webb

The hardback book is packaged in a presentation box, and icludes a Royal Wedding supplement alongside all the year’s special issue stamps such as the Thunderbirds range; Olympic and Paralympic stamps; classic locomotives of England; musicals; WWF animals and the Morris & Co range.

Royal Wedding stamps, designed by Atelier Works

Magpie Studio commissioned a different illustrator to create the imagery for each of the chapters, giving each a unique look and feel, illustration style and typography. A different letter from each chapter is used to form the letters spelling out ‘Royal Mail’ on the cover.

Thomas the Tank Engine stamp, designed by Elmwood

Christie adds, ‘Being able to use different typefaces adds a uniqueness to each page. [Royal Mail] has got a really good creative eye and really worked with us to make the design work while still giving us free reign.’